The Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) has convened a high-level meeting involving key Federal Agencies and stakeholders to address the lingering conflict between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited and the Rumuewhor Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The meeting according to the Press Release, signed by the Head of Information and Public Relation Officer, OSGOF, Mr. Henry David, the meeting was held at the OSGOF Headquarters in Abuja. In attendance were the representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Sterling Oil, and leaders of the Rumuewhor community.
While speaking at the meeting, the Surveyor General of the Federation, Abduganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, said the fact-finding session was convened on the directive of the Federal Government, following a petition by the community alleging neglect, environmental damage, and intimidation by Sterling Oil.
Adebomehin noted that the meeting underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed commitment to fostering peace between oil-producing communities and operators.
“All correspondences will be compiled and forwarded to our Legal unit, which will in turn submit them to ONSA. Once the facts are established, Sterling Oil will be invited for questioning. Our mission is purely fact-finding,” he stressed.
In her remark, the Assistant Legal Adviser, OSGOF, Mrs. Ademola Abiola, said that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandates oil companies to fulfill specific obligations to host communities, under the supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
“The government must ensure the rights of indigenes are protected. So far, Sterling Oil has not demonstrated full compliance with the provisions of the PIA,” she stated.
The Director of Energy Security, ONSA, stressed the need for comprehensive documentation before any further steps are taken.
“We need all information, who signed what, how operations began, and NUPRC’s position on community development funds. Once the Office of National Security Adviser completed its findings, we go ahead to investigate, if any rights were violated,” he said.
Representing the Rumuewhor community, Prophet Ezehow Azundah accused the company of exploitation and disregard for local content provisions.
“For three years, Sterling Oil has operated without meaningful benefits to our people. Our youths are not employed, and those who work there earn less than ₦100,000. Recently, their trucks destroyed electricity poles, and soldiers used intimidation against our community,” he alleged.
Responding to the allegations, Sterling Oil’s Group Managing Director, A.O. Chukwueke, dismissed the community’s claims, describing them as “unfounded and unsupported by empirical evidence,” insisting that the company operates in full compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
The meeting concluded with the Surveyor-General calling for calm and assuring all parties that the Federal Government will ensure fairness, transparency, and lasting peace in the oil-rich community.
